Find out the scoop on the CAVS from award-winning sports writer Bob Finnan.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Early entry candidates for NBA draft

NEW YORK, April 30, 2014 –The National Basketball Association announced today that 75 players, including 45 players from colleges and 30 international players season have filed as early entry candidates for the 2014 NBA Draft presented by State Farm.

Players wishing to enter the 2014 NBA Draft were required to submit a letter to the NBA to be received no later than Sunday,April 27. Players who have applied for early entry have the right to withdraw their names from consideration for the Draft by notifying the NBA of their decision in writing no later than 5 p.m. ET on Monday, June 16.

Following is the list of players from colleges and post-graduate institutions who have applied for early entry into the 2014 NBA Draft, which will be held Thursday, June 26, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.:

EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES FOR 2014 NBA DRAFT

Player School

Jordan Adams UCLA

William Alston CC of Baltimore County Dundalk

Mychal Ammons South Alabama

Kyle Anderson UCLA

Isaiah Austin Baylor

Chane Behanan Louisville

Sim Bhullar New Mexico State

Khem Birch UNLV

Jabari Brown Missouri

Jahii Carson Arizona State

Semaj Christon Xavier

Jordan Clarkson Missouri

DeAndre Daniels Connecticut

Spencer Dinwiddie Colorado

Joel Embiid Kansas

Tyler Ennis Syracuse

Aaron Gordon Arizona

Jerami Grant Syracuse

P.J. Hairston North Carolina/Texas (D-League)

Gary Harris Michigan State

Rodney Hood Duke

Nick Johnson Arizona

Alex Kirk New Mexico

Zach LaVine UCLA

James Michael McAdoo North Carolina

K.J. McDaniels Clemson

Mitch McGary Michigan

Eric Moreland Oregon State

Johnny O’Bryant III LSU

Jabari Parker Duke

Elfrid Payton Louisiana-Lafayette

Julius Randle Kentucky

Glenn Robinson III Michigan

LaQuinton Ross Ohio State

Antonio Rucker Clinton JC (SC)

Jakarr Sampson St. John’s

Marcus Smart Oklahoma State

Roscoe Smith UNLV

Nik Stauskas Michigan

Jarnell Stokes Tennessee

Noah Vonleh Indiana

T.J. Warren North Carolina State

Andrew Wiggins Kansas

James Young Kentucky

Ta’Quan Zimmerman Thompson Rivers (Canada)

The following is the list of international players who have applied for early entry into the 2014 NBA Draft:

Letter from NBA commissioner Adam Silver

Dear Fans,

This afternoon I announced that, following the completion of a thorough investigation into an audio recording obtained by TMZ, I banned Donald Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers or the NBA, effective immediately. Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. I also fined Mr. Sterling $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the NBA Constitution. These funds will be donated to charitable organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts that will be jointly selected by the NBA and its Players Association.

The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and hurtful. I am extremely proud of this great league's diverse, respectful and inclusive culture, and we will not allow one individual's intolerant views to define us. Let me be clear: Mr. Sterling's views have no place in the NBA.

This has been a painful episode for all members of the NBA family. I very much appreciate your understanding during this process. I also want to express my thanks and admiration to Coach Doc Rivers, Chris Paul, and the entire Clippers organization for their professionalism throughout this matter, and to Chris and Mayor Kevin Johnson for their leadership and partnership on behalf of the Players Association.

And now I am eager to turn the spotlight back where it belongs: on the game we all love and on these thrilling playoffs, which have been some of the most exciting basketball I've seen in my 22 years with the league. I hope you enjoy the rest of the playoffs and The Finals.

Game 82: Nets at Cavs

WHAT HAPPENED?:The 2013-14 season started and ended with a victory over the Nets. In between, there were some crazy happenings.It was never boring. There was always something to write about, even with a 33-win team.Should this team have made the playoffs? Darn right. But the Cavs failed to get in the postseason for the first time since 2010. There were parts of the season where they played very well. Others where they were an embarrassment to even watch.Since Cavs Acting GM David Griffin took over the first week of February, the Cavs were 17-16.There's talent on this club. It just took too long this season for it to blossom. Does Brown have to shoulder some of the blame? Absolutely. Will he be back next season? I believe that he will. He'll at least start the season. If they get off to a poor start, I think he'll be jettisoned. I believe he'll be back for a number of reasons. Perhaps, my gut feeling is way off. Cavs swingman C.J. Miles said before the game that it's hard to build a nucleus with a revolving door.There will also be roster changes. Hopefully, not to the extent as last year when they brought in nine new players.Teams can't keep making wholesale changes like that and expect to win.

The Nets dropped to the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race. They'll face Toronto in the first round, starting at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Air Canada Centre.In all honesty, it really doesn't matter who they play. If they are on their game, they can beat any team in the NBA. They have so much playoff experience in Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Joe Johnson.Nets coach Jason Kidd said he's blessed to have so many playoff-tested players, some who have won championships.Like forward Luol Deng said on Tuesday, the Cavs should be preparing for their first-round playoff series with Indiana. But they're on the outside looking in once again.Cavs guard Jarrett Jack tried to explain that the playoffs are a different animal. It's a whole new game. Teams play harder and there's no (or very few) slouches. He said he had a recent conversation with teammate Dion Waiters, who said the playoffs were probably a lot like the NCAA tournament. Jack said he told Waiters it was nothing like the NCAA tourney. He said you wouldn't be facing any No. 16 teams in the NBA playoffs.Jack said Waiters and Kyrie Irving were talking about going to some of the NBA playoff games as fans to see what it was all about. Perhaps next year, they'll find out what it's like to play in the postseason.

Game 81: Celtics at Cavs

WHAT HAPPENED?:Try and convince me this team hasn't packed it in.Cavs coach Mike Brown was asked after the game whether that has happened. He doesn't know how to answer the question.His starters just abandoned him on Saturday. They've now lost by a combined 15 points to two of the worst teams in the league in Milwaukee and Boston. In the case of the Celtics, they're 0-3 against Boston this year. What's that all about?The Celtics came into Saturday's game having lost 14 of their last 16 games. Despite being in tank mode, they knocked off Charlotte and the Cavs on back-to-back nights.They were playing without two starters in center Jared Sullinger and point guard Rajon Rondo.The two players that stepped in for them were fantastic.Center Kelly Olynyk, the No. 13 overall pick in the 2013 draft, had 25 points and 12 rebounds, both career highs. I implore the Cavs to find a player as good in the 2014 draft.Point guard Phil Pressey started in place of Rondo and dished out 13 assists. He has 26 assists in the last two nights.His dunk in the first half was also a thing of beauty. He followed a shot that bounced off the rim. He grabbed it in mid air and threw it down with authority. Remember, this guy is 5-11, 175. He's the son of former Cavs assistant coach Paul Pressey.It's only human nature to set your sights on the finish line. It's been a long season, and a difficult one at that. But one would think the Cavs would be able to slip past teams like Milwaukee on Friday no matter what. Of course, they've lost twice to the Bucks this season.Cavs small forward Luol Deng was held out of the game with a sore back. Alonzo Gee started in his place.

The other injured players - guard/forward C.J. Miles (ankle), forward Anthony Bennett (knee) and guard Carrick Felix (knee) - are also out, likely for the duration. The season ends on Wednesday against the Nets.The Cavs can't finish above .500 this year at home. They are 18-22 at The Q thus far this season. That's ridiculous. Even really bad teams win at least half their games at home.

Game 80: Cavs at Bucks

WHAT HAPPENED?:You are kidding me, right?Don't tell me the Cavs just lost to the worst team in the NBA. That makes twice this year they've lost to the woeful Bucks, who have half their team on their injury list. They are clearly gunning for the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, but, boy, they know how to put a jolt into the Cavs.

The Cavs were coming off one of their most impressive efforts of the season - a 122-100 verdict over Detroit on Wednesday. However, they played without small forward Luol Deng (back). But that shouldn't have mattered this much.The Bucks snapped a six-game losing streak. They've won just 10 games at home. Two of those 10 wins have come at the expense of the Cavs. I figured the Cavs would finish strong. Heck, they could lose 50 games this season if they drop their last two.The Cavs finished 14-26 on the road this year. They closed the road portion of their schedule by winning nine of their last 16 games away from The Q.

The Cavs appeared to have hit their stride. That was before they allowed 119 points to the worst team in the league. The Bucks shot 52.4 percent from the field. Their starting backcourt amassed 44 points, 24 by Brandon Knight.It came on a night Kyrie Irving barely showed up. He started in the let's-get-everyone-involved mode. Then when he tried to turn it on in the late going, it wasn't there. He ended with 12 points and made just 4 of 12 from the field. Hopefully, he's not having difficulty getting motivated for these games.Despite what you hear, they do mean something. The front office is still evaluating talent until the final buzzer goes off on the disappointing 2013-14 season.Guard Dion Waiters paced the Cavs with 23 points and a career-high five steals.Bucks power forward Jeff Adrien - all 6-7 of him - caused problems the whole night with his hustle and determination. He ended with nine points, nine rebounds and a block - I know, it doesn't seem like much - but he was very active around the paint.After having 41 assists on Wednesday against the Pistons, the Cavs dished out just 18 assists against the Bucks. That ball movement wasn't there.The thing that stuck in Coach Mike Brown's craw, however, was the Cavs' lack of defense. They appeared to try to outscore the Bucks instead of trying to stop them. Obviously, it wasn't enough and they blew a 14-point lead.UP NEXT: The Cavs host Boston at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Quicken Loans Arena.